What is the Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio?
The fixed asset turnover ratio gauges a company's capacity to generate revenue utilizing its fixed assets.
It is calculated by dividing net sales by the average value of fixed assets during a certain period. The higher the ratio, the more efficiently a company uses its fixed assets to generate revenue.
For example, if a company has net sales of INR 10,00,000 and fixed assets worth INR 5,00,000 on average during a year, its fixed asset turnover ratio would be 2 (INR 10,00,000 / INR 5,00,000).
This ratio is particularly useful for companies that heavily rely on fixed assets, such as manufacturing firms, because it helps them evaluate the efficiency of their asset utilisation.
A high fixed asset turnover ratio indicates that the company effectively uses its assets to generate revenue. In contrast, a low ratio suggests that there may be inefficiencies in using fixed assets.
Here are some frequently asked questions about fixed asset turnover ratio:
How is the average value of fixed assets calculated?
ANS: The average value of fixed assets is calculated by adding the beginning balance and ending balance of fixed assets for a certain period and dividing the sum by two.
What does a low fixed asset turnover ratio indicate?
ANS: A low fixed asset turnover ratio indicates that a company may need to be using its fixed assets efficiently to generate revenue. This can be a concern for investors as it suggests that the company may be experiencing inefficiencies in its operations.
What is a good fixed asset turnover ratio?
ANS: The ideal fixed asset turnover ratio varies by industry, but a higher ratio is generally better. A ratio above 1 is generally considered good, but this can vary depending on the industry and the company's specific circumstances.
How can a company improve its fixed asset turnover ratio?
ANS: A company can improve its fixed asset turnover ratio by increasing its sales or reducing its fixed asset investment. This can be achieved by selling off underutilized assets, leasing assets instead of purchasing them, or outsourcing certain operations.
Can the fixed asset turnover ratio be negative?
ANS: No, the fixed asset turnover ratio cannot be negative. If a company has negative net sales, the ratio will be undefined.
What are some limitations of the fixed asset turnover ratio?
ANS: The fixed asset turnover ratio does not take into account the depreciation of fixed assets, which can distort the ratio. Additionally, the ratio may not be comparable between companies in different industries or with different business models.
What other financial ratios should be considered alongside the fixed asset turnover ratio?
ANS: The fixed asset turnover ratio should be considered alongside other financial ratios, such as the return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE), to provide a more complete picture of a company's financial performance.
How often should the fixed asset turnover ratio be calculated?
ANS: The fixed asset turnover ratio should be calculated regularly, such as on a quarterly or annual basis, to monitor a company's efficiency in using its fixed assets to generate revenue.
In conclusion
The fixed asset turnover ratio is a valuable financial ratio that helps investors and businesses assess a company's ability to generate revenue from its fixed assets.
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